Analysis of post-translational modifications of the blue light photoreceptor, phot1, by the CRL3NPH3 ubiquitin ligase complex

Plants are sessile by nature; because of this they have evolved many strategies to cope with the diverse environmental stimuli they encounter in nature. One such strategy is the phototropic response by which plants reorient the aerial organs toward and roots away from directional blue light. The blue light response can be broken down into three general steps: perception of light, signal leading to the lateral redistribution of auxin, and initiation of a differential growth response (resulting in phototropic curvature). Loss-of-function genetic screens have identified several key proteins involved in phototropic signal-response, including the primary photoreceptors, phototropins 1 and 2 (phot1 and phot2), and a BTB protein, NPH3. Recent studies in our laboratory have shown that NPH3, a phot1 interacting protein, can also interact with Cullin 3 (Cul3) as a substrate adapter in a Cul3-based E3 ubiquitin ligase designated CRL3NPH3. We have shown that the CRLNPH3 complex is necessary for the mono/multi- and polyubiquitination of phot1 under high fluence rate conditions in addition to the mono/multiubiquitination of phot1 under low fluence rate conditions. Preliminary evidence suggested that mono/multiubiquitination of phot1 is necessary for BL dependant receptor internalization which appears to be critical to phot1 mediated signal transduction. Interestingly, the photoreceptor is internalized in the absence of monoubiquitination signal, but recent evidence suggests that the mono/multiubiquitination signal is responsible for targeting the photoreceptor and is necessary for phototropism. We propose that phot-dependent phototropism is modulated in large part through the ubiquitination of phot1 by CRL3NPH3 and the subsequent internalization of phot1. We are currently working to elucidate the role of mono/multiubiquitination in phot1 internalization and receptor function. These ubiquitination responses represent the blue light-induced signal transduction events occurring prior to (and presumably required for) auxin redistribution, auxin-dependent changes in transcription, and development of differential growth

Transition to SCPHN:The effects of returning to student status

Qualified nurses returning to student status is not well researched within nursing. The aim of the study is to ascertain the effect that returning to student status has on autonomous practitioners embarking on the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing programme. Enabling participants to voice their opinions and be heard aims to provide a greater understanding of the effect that such transition has on individuals. With such insight, those engaged in the preparation of such practitioners, namely lecturers and practice teachers will have a greater appreciation of the impact that returning to student status has—equipping them with heightened awareness for future transition.A total of 16 participants consisting of school nurses and health visitors took part in this study. The study was designed in two phases, consisting of a demographic questionnaire and a non-directive interview.Six key themes emerged: initial feelings, effects from academia, effects from clinical, support provision, personal effects and exit feelings. The student title created such a strong feeling of loss highlighting a clear need to retain identity, status and credibility. Coupled with the effects of relinquishing autonomy, one questions and would encourage change in practice when introducing forthcoming students while utilising previous knowledge and skills as a platform for learning

Perceived stress and emotional social support among women who are denied or receive abortions in the United States: a prospective cohort study.

BackgroundExamining women's stress and social support following denial and receipt of abortion furthers understanding of the effects of unwanted childbearing and abortion on women's well-being. This study investigated perceived stress and emotional social support over time among women who were denied wanted abortions and who received abortions, and compared outcomes between the groups.MethodsThe Turnaway Study is a prospective cohort study of women who sought abortions at 30 abortion facilities across the United States, and follows women via semiannual phone interviews for five years. Participants include 956 English or Spanish speaking women aged 15 and over who sought abortions between 2008 and 2010 and whose gestation in pregnancy fit one of three groups: women who presented up to three weeks beyond a facility's gestational age limit and were denied an abortion; women presenting within two weeks below the limit who received an abortion; and women who received a first trimester abortion. The outcomes were modified versions of the Perceived Stress Scale and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Longitudinal mixed effects models were used to assess differences in outcomes between study groups over 30 months.ResultsWomen denied abortions initially had higher perceived stress than women receiving abortions near gestational age limits (1.0 unit difference on 0-16 scale, P = 0.003). Women receiving first-trimester abortions initially had lower perceived stress than women receiving abortions near gestational age limits (0.6 difference, P = 0.045). By six months, all groups' levels of perceived stress were similar, and levels remained similar through 30 months. Emotional social support scores did not differ among women receiving abortions near gestational limits versus women denied abortions or women having first trimester abortions initially or over time.ConclusionsSoon after being denied abortions, women experienced higher perceived stress than women who received abortions. The study found no longer-term differences in perceived stress or emotional social support between women who received versus were denied abortions

Risk of violence from the man involved in the pregnancy after receiving or being denied an abortion.

BackgroundIntimate partner violence is common among women having abortions, with between 6% and 22% reporting recent violence from an intimate partner. Concern about violence is a reason some pregnant women decide to terminate their pregnancies. Whether risk of violence decreases after having an abortion, remains unknown.MethodsData are from the Turnaway Study, a prospective cohort study of women seeking abortions at 30 facilities across the U.S. Participants included women who: presented just prior to a facility's gestational age limit and received abortions (Near Limit Abortion Group, n = 452), presented just beyond the gestational limit and were denied abortions (Turnaways, n = 231), and received first trimester abortions (First Trimester Abortion Group, n = 273). Mixed effects logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between receiving versus being denied abortion and subsequent violence from the man involved in the pregnancy over 2.5 years.ResultsPhysical violence decreased for Near Limits (adjusted odds ratios (aOR), 0.93 per month; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.90, 0.96), but not Turnaways who gave birth (P < .05 versus Near Limits). The decrease for First Trimesters was similar to Near Limits (P = .324). Psychological violence decreased for all groups (aOR, 0.97; CI 0.94, 1.00), with no differential change across groups.ConclusionsPolicies restricting abortion provision may result in more women being unable to terminate unwanted pregnancies, potentially keeping them in contact with violent partners, and putting women and their children at risk

Applying STEM Instructional Strategies to Design and Technology Curriculum

Abstract Proponents for STEM education argue it has potential to contribute to student learning, their lives, and global economies. STEM's promise is viewed with enough credibility that some nations have begun to adopt its principles through mandates and funding. If STEM is seen as a practical solution for future learning, then it is necessary for design and technology instructors to consider how to incorporate STEM strategies into their curriculum. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate three approaches that can be used in STEM education (Silo, Embedded, and Integration) and apply them within the context of a technology education course

The effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death and hysterectomy in women with post-partum haemorrhage: statistical analysis plan for the WOMAN trial.

BACKGROUND: Severe haemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Most haemorrhage deaths occur soon after childbirth. Severe post-partum bleeding is sometimes managed by the surgical removal of the uterus (hysterectomy). Death and hysterectomy are important health consequences of post-partum haemorrhage, and clinical trials of interventions aimed at preventing these outcomes are needed. METHODS: The World Maternal Antifibrinolytic trial aims to determine the effect of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy and other health outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. It is an international, multicentre, randomised trial. Approximately 20,000 women with post-partum haemorrhage will be randomly allocated to receive an intravenous injection of either tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. The primary outcome measure is a composite of death in hospital or hysterectomy within 42 days of delivery. The cause of death will be described. Secondary outcomes include death, death due to bleeding, hysterectomy, thromboembolic events, blood transfusion, surgical and radiological interventions, complications, adverse events and quality of life. The health status and occurrence of thromboembolic events in breastfed babies will also be reported. We will conduct subgroup analyses for the primary outcome by time to treatment, type of delivery and cause of haemorrhage. We will conduct an analysis of treatment effect adjusted for baseline risk. DISCUSSION: The World Maternal Antifibrinolytic trial should provide reliable evidence for the efficacy of tranexamic acid in the prevention of death, hysterectomy and other outcomes that are important to patients. We present a protocol update and the statistical analysis plan for the trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN76912190 (Registration date 08 December 2008), Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00872469 (Registration date 30 March 2009) and Pan African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR201007000192283 (Registration date 02 September 2010)

Building Supportive Networks Among Agricultural Innovators Through a Symposium on Dryland Organic Farming

Extension can play a valuable role by bringing together those who are pioneering innovative practices. We planned, built, and evaluated an Extension symposium on dryland organic agriculture. Post-symposium evaluations indicated that this process disseminated regionally relevant information; fostered networks among producers, researchers, and the organic processing and feed industries; enhanced trust among stakeholders; and increased interest in expanding organic production. Ninety-five percent of respondents indicated that they established new business relationships within 6 months of the symposium. A unique aspect of our project was the enhancement of social capital between geographically separated rural localities

Socio-Emotional Resilience Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The detrimental impact of social isolation on health and well-being has been reported in older adults (Prohaska, et al., 2020). Yet findings also demonstrate that older adults have a motivational shift to prioritize emotionally meaningful goals and experiences (Carstensen, 1993; Sakaki, et al., 2019), prioritize emotional meaning in situations, focus on positive emotions and stimuli over negative feelings and live in the present rather than focus on future preparedness. Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) (Carstensen, 1993; Carstensen, Fung & Charles, 2003) suggests that older adults have a limited sense of time left in life and shift their focus to meaningful and positive experiences. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic most individuals became physically separated from family, friends and social activities that are so important to overall well-being. To explore the contradicting evidence in the literature about detrimental effects of social isolation and the SST theory, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 older adults ranging in age from 62 to 86 years old to explore their experiences during the pandemic and specifically to address emotional well-being, social experiences and coping mechanisms. Qualitative analyses revealed themes of problem-solving and emotion-focused coping, social support, and meaning making with ample evidence of the positivity effect. These findings support the SST theory as many participants expressed great resilience as they discussed how they engaged in emotionally meaningful activities and experiences and even made the best of adverse experiences during the pandemic